First Navy Jack Flag 1st Naval Jack DONT TREAD ON ME Flags Sewn Nylon Embroidered 2×3, 3 x 5, or 4×6 ft.

1st Navy Jack Flag – Sewn Outdoor Nylon (Embroidered)

First Navy Jack Flag 1st Naval Jack DONT TREAD ON ME Flags

Simply Choose Your Size: 2×3, 3 x 5, or 4×6 ft.

The First Navy Jack is one of the few Revolutionary-era flag designs still flying on active US Navy warships today — and this version is built to the standard that kind of history deserves. Sewn stripes rather than printed ones, fully embroidered rattlesnake and text, and outdoor nylon construction rated for permanent display through whatever weather comes.

Why Sewn Stripes Matter

Most flags reproduce stripe designs through printing — ink applied to a single piece of fabric. This flag’s thirteen alternating red and white stripes are sewn — individual strips of nylon fabric stitched together the way flags were constructed before mass production made printing the easier option.

The difference is visible and tactile. Sewn stripes have defined edges, dimensional texture, and a structural integrity that printed stripes cannot replicate. Combined with the fully embroidered rattlesnake and “Dont Tread on Me” text, this flag is built as an object rather than a print — closer in construction philosophy to the historical flags it represents than any printed version could be.

From 1775 to 9/11 and Beyond

The First Navy Jack traces to fall 1775, when Commodore Esek Hopkins first flew it from Continental Navy ships on the Delaware River as he prepared the fleet for its opening operations of the Revolutionary War. The thirteen stripes represented the thirteen colonies — each one equal, united, and ready to fight. The rattlesnake stretched across them carried the same warning it always has.

The flag remained part of American naval heritage through the centuries that followed — flown by the oldest commissioned vessel in the US fleet as a living connection to the Navy’s origins. Then came September 11, 2001.

In 2002, the Secretary of the Navy directed that all US Navy ships replace the standard union jack with the historic First Navy Jack for the duration of the Global War on Terrorism. The decision was deliberate: a flag born in a moment of existential national conflict, revived for another. The rattlesnake on the stripes meant the same thing it meant in 1775 — this nation does not back down, and there are consequences for those who test it.

That directive has remained in effect ever since. At this moment, on Navy ships operating across the world’s oceans, this flag is flying.

Flag Details & Construction

Quality Tier: Civic Quality — Nylon Embroidered

• Sizes available: 2×3 ft / 3×5 ft / 4×6 ft
• Material: Outdoor nylon — waterproof, tear and fray resistant
• Stripes: Sewn — individual fabric strips stitched together, not printed
• Design: Fully embroidered rattlesnake and text — not printed
• Thread: Bright embroidery thread adds texture and visual weight
• Edges: Double and quad stitched throughout
• Header: Reinforced brass grommet rings for secure pole attachment
• Reverse: Per traditional flag construction, design reads correctly from front and appears mirrored on reverse
• Built for: Permanent outdoor pole display and extended all-weather use

Recommended Uses

• Permanent outdoor pole display — homes, businesses, docks, and marinas
• Year-round display not taken down at night or in rain
• Schools, civic organizations, and veterans’ group display
• Parades and formal outdoor patriotic events
• Indoor honor guard and institutional display
• Gift for Navy veterans, history enthusiasts, and patriots who want lasting quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes sewn stripes better than printed stripes? Sewn stripes are individual pieces of fabric stitched together — producing defined edges, dimensional texture, and structural integrity that printed stripes can’t match. It’s how flags were traditionally made before modern printing, and it shows in both the appearance and the durability of the finished flag.

Why was the First Navy Jack revived after 9/11? The Secretary of the Navy directed all US ships to fly the historic First Navy Jack in 2002 as a deliberate symbolic choice — a flag born during an existential national conflict, raised again during another. Its message of resolve and defiance was considered appropriate to the moment and has remained continuously relevant as the directive has stayed in effect through the decades since.

Is this suitable for permanent outdoor display? Yes — civic quality nylon embroidered construction is built for flags that stay up permanently, including through rain, wind, and changing seasons. The sewn stripe and embroidered construction holds up to sustained outdoor exposure significantly better than printed alternatives.

What is the difference between this and the Military Quality version? Civic Quality uses single-ply nylon embroidered construction — excellent for permanent outdoor display and institutional use. Military Quality uses double-ply nylon, providing twice the thickness and durability for the most demanding conditions including heavy weather and marine environments. Both are embroidered; the Military Quality simply doubles the material.

Does the design appear backwards on the reverse? Per traditional flag construction standards — the same standard used for national flags and military colors worldwide — the design reads correctly from the front and appears mirrored on the reverse face.